Pulse — Cardiff LGBTQ+ Nightclub and Bar
A city-centre LGBTQ+-friendly bar that becomes a neon-lit nightclub after dark, blending casual daytime dining with late-night DJs and themed club nights.
Pulse is a long-running LGBTQ+-friendly nightclub and bar in central Cardiff, housed on Churchill Way beside the city centre entertainment quarter. By day it operates as a buzzy bar and casual eatery; after dark it becomes a neon-lit club with a main dancefloor, themed nights and DJs, plus occasional live events and community shows. The venue is known for its lively atmosphere, mixed crowd and late-night opening hours.
A brief summary to Pulse
- 3 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HD, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 4 hours
- Mid ranged
-
Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Friday 10 pm-5 am
- Saturday 10 pm-5 am
- Sunday 10 pm-6 am
Local tips
- Check the venue’s event schedule before you go: cover charges are common for late DJ nights and themed events.
- Bring ID for entry on late nights; a doorman operates during busy hours and venues in the area enforce age checks.
- If you prefer a quieter experience, visit during daytime or early-evening service when the bar offers seating and food.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Pulse location weather suitability
-
Any Weather
-
Rain / Wet Weather
-
Clear Skies
Discover more about Pulse
A venue that changes with the clock
Pulse occupies a compact, city-centre footprint that functions as a convivial bar by day and a pulsing nightclub after sunset. The ground-floor layout includes a long main bar, seating areas for daytime dining and socialising, and an open-plan dancefloor that hosts DJs and themed DJ nights. Lighting is a deliberate part of the experience: softer, warm tones for daytime service; then brighter, coloured beams and strobes for the late-night club programme.Roots in Cardiff’s queer nightlife
Over the years Pulse has established itself as a staple of Cardiff’s LGBTQ+ scene, programming a mix of chart-driven DJ sets, club nights oriented to the queer community and occasional drag or student society performances. The venue’s calendar typically alternates between quieter social evenings where food and conversation are central, and louder late-night events that emphasise dancing and music.Atmosphere and crowd
Expect an energetic, mixed crowd that ranges from regulars in the local queer scene to groups of students and visitors visiting Cardiff’s nightlife corridor. Staffing includes bartenders focused on quick service during busy periods and a doorman or door team on late events; that security presence shapes entry policies and the late-night ambience. Interior finishes are practical and geared to durability, with functional seating that clears away for standing-room club nights.Food, drink and entertainment mix
Daytime menus offer casual bar food and pub-style options that make Pulse suitable for midday or early-evening socialising. After 22:00 the venue concentrates on drinks, DJs and club programming: expect pop, dance and remixed hits tailored for a lively dancefloor. The venue occasionally hosts themed specials or community nights that reflect Cardiff’s calendar of student and queer events.Practical considerations for visitors
Pulse’s central location places it within a dense late-night quarter, so the building’s scale and acoustic profile mean it can feel lively and boisterous at peak times. There is a door policy in force on busy nights, and late-evening entry often involves a cover charge. Staff and management routines reflect the demands of a mixed-use site which transitions from café/bar to nightclub service across the evening.Local significance and character
Pulse functions as both a social hub and a late-night entertainment venue within Cardiff’s nightlife fabric. Its ability to serve daytime diners, host community-orientated events and switch to a high-energy club programme after dark gives it a flexible identity that caters to different rhythms of city life — welcoming conversation and lunch before adopting the louder, dance-centred persona that defines the night.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Lively
- Fun-filled
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Colorful Aesthetics
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nightlife
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- LGBT Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
